The U.S. State Department issued a travel warning Wednesday advising Americans to avoid five states in Mexico, putting the regions at the same level of danger as war-torn Syria, Yemen, and Somalia.

The level 4 “do not travel” risk is the highest warning and applies to the Pacific coast states of Sinaloa, Colima, Michoacán, Guerrero, and Tamaulipas on the eastern Gulf.

“Violent crime, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is widespread,” the advisory reads.

Guerrero has suffered from a long history of violence. In 2014, 43 students were abducted and killed in Guerrero state. Last week, a police shootout left 11 people dead. In the travel advisory, the State Department warns that, “Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers.”

Criminal organizations also operate heavily in the state of Sinaloa. In 2016, the infamous cartel boss Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán was arrested and extradited, but violence remains in the power vacuum of his drug empire.

Last year, Mexico’s homicide rate was the deadliest on record, according to the Guardian, with 23,101 murder investigations opened.

The country’s main tourism destinations — Cancún, the Mayan Riviera, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and Mexico City — have no travel restrictions, Mexico’s tourism secretariat said in a statement.

Re: 'Do not travel' issued for 5 Mexican states by USA although tourism states exempt

Administrator

This post was updated on .

There was also a travel advisory from the Canadian Gov. For Mexico last week to avoid the border states except Baja And Tamaulipas and try to fly in to Mexico.It was revised yesterday to include Tamaulipas.

Re: 'Do not travel' issued for 5 Mexican states by USA although tourism states exempt

I must clarify...AGAIN, the 11 people killed in the article were killed by the government who do not want farmers in tiny communities having autodefensas. they asked for federal protection as they knew they would be attacked.

Tourist would NEVER go anywhere close to these farms. and should not even be in this article. Time is notorious for hype

here is the state department report
Mexico Travel Advisory
Travel Advisory
January 10, 2018
Mexico – Level 2: Exercise increased caution
C
Exercise increased caution in Mexico due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Violent crime, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is widespread.
The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico as U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to these areas.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from intercity travel after dark in many areas of Mexico. U.S. government employees are also not permitted to drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico with the exception of daytime travel on Highway 15 between Nogales and Hermosillo.
Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.
Do not travel to:
• Colima state due to crime.
• Guerrero state due to crime.
• Michoacán state due to crime.
• Sinaloa state due to crime.
• Tamaulipas state due to crime.
Aguascalientes state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling between cities at night. Additionally, U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Aguascalientes.
Baja California state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Criminal activity and violence, including homicide, remain an issue throughout the state. According to the Baja California State Secretariat for Public Security, the state experienced an increase in homicide rates compared to the same period in 2016. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shooting incidents.
Due to poor cellular service and hazardous road conditions, U.S. government employees are only permitted to travel on “La Rumorosa” between Mexicali and Tijuana on the toll road during daylight.
There are no U.S. government restrictions in tourist areas in Baja California, which includes: Ensenada, Rosarito, and Tijuana.
Baja California Sur state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Criminal activity and violence, including homicide, remain an issue throughout the state. According to Government of Mexico statistics, the state experienced an increase in homicide rates compared to the same period in 2016. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shooting incidents.
There are no U.S. government restrictions for travel in Baja California Sur, which includes the tourist areas of Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, and La Paz.
Campeche state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution. Police presence and emergency response are extremely limited outside of the state capital.
There are no travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.
Chiapas state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
U.S. government employees are encouraged to remain in tourist areas and are not permitted to use public transportation. U.S. government employees are permitted to drive during daylight only.
There are no restrictions on U.S. government employees in tourist areas in Chiapas state, such as: Palenque, San Cristobal de las Casas, and Tuxtla Gutierrez.
Chihuahua state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are widespread.
Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:
• Ciudad Juarez: U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel after dark west of Eje Juan Gabriel and south of Boulevard Zaragoza. U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to the areas southeast of Boulevard Independencia and the Valle de Juarez region.
• Within the city of Chihuahua: U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to the Morelos, Villa, and Zapata districts.
• Ojinaga: U.S. government employees must travel via U.S. Highway 67 through the Presidio, Texas port-of-entry.
• Palomas and the Nuevo Casas Grandes/Paquime region: U.S. government employees must use U.S. Highway 11 through the Columbus, New Mexico port-of- entry.
• Nuevo Casas Grandes: U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel outside city limits after dark.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Coahuila state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime is widespread. Local law enforcement has limited capability to prevent and respond to crime, particularly in the northern part of the state.
U.S. government employees are not permitted to travel in Coahuila state, with the exception of Saltillo, Bosques de Monterreal, and Parras de la Fuente. U.S. government employees can only travel to those cities using the most direct routes and maximizing the use of toll highways. Between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., U.S. government employees must remain within Saltillo, Bosques de Monterreal, or Parras de la Fuente.
U.S. government employees are permitted to travel to Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuna but they must travel to these cities from the United States only.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Coahuila.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Colima state – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Do not travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are widespread.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to Tecoman or within 12 miles of the Colima-Michoacán border and on Route 110 between La Tecomaca and the Jalisco border.
There are no restrictions on U.S. government employees travel along Route 200 from the Jalisco border to Manzanillo, including the Manzanillo airport. There are no restrictions on U.S. government employees for stays in Manzanillo from Marina Puerto Santiago to Playa las Brisas.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Colima.
Durango state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity along the highways are common.
U.S. government employees may travel outside the city of Durango only during daylight on toll roads. Between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., U.S. government employees must remain within Durango city.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Durango.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Estado de Mexico state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime is common in parts of Estado de Mexico.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to the following municipalities, unless they are traveling directly through the municipalities on major thoroughfares:
• Coacalco
• Ecatepec
• Nezahualcoyotl
• La Paz
• Valle del Chalco
• Solidaridad
• Chalco
• Ixtapaluca
• Tlatlaya
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel on any roads between Morelos, Huitzilac, and Santa Martha, Estado de Mexico, including the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and surrounding areas.
Guanajuato state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
There are no travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.
Guerrero state – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Do not travel due to crime. Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to the entire state of Guerrero, including Acapulco.
Hidalgo state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
There are no travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.
Jalisco state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco state.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to areas bordering Michoacán and Zacatecas states. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling between cities after dark and from using Highway 80 between Cocula and La Huerta.
U.S. government employees may use federal toll road 15D for travel to Mexico City. However, they may not stop in the towns of La Barca or Ocotlan for any reason.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Jalisco.
There are no restrictions on U.S. government employees for stays in the following tourist areas in Jalisco state: Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Ajijic.
Mexico City – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
There are no travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.
Michoacán state – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Do not travel due to crime. U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel in Michoacán state, with the exception of Morelia and Lazaro Cardenas cities and the area north of federal toll road 15D.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel by land, except on federal toll road 15D.
U.S. government employees may fly into Morelia and Lazaro Cardenas.
Morelos state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Morelos state.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel on any roads from Huitzilac to Santa Martha, Estado de Mexico, including Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and surrounding areas.
Nayarit state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Nayarit state.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel in most areas of the state, with the following exceptions:
• Riviera Nayarit (which includes Nuevo Vallarta and Bahia de Banderas)
• Santa Maria del Oro
• Xalisco
When traveling to permitted areas above, U.S. government employees must use major highways and cannot travel between cities after dark.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Nayarit.
Nuevo Leon state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Nuevo Leon state.
U.S. government employees may travel outside Monterrey only during daylight on toll roads, with the exception of travel to the Monterrey airport, which is permitted at any time.
U.S. government employees must remain within San Pedro Garza Garcia or Santa Catarina (south of the Santa Catarina river) municipalities between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Nuevo Leon.
Oaxaca state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
In Oaxaca, U.S. government employees are encouraged to remain in tourist areas and are not permitted to use public transportation.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel on Highway 200 throughout the state, except to transit between the airport in Huatulco to hotels in Puerto Escondido and Huatulco.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to the El Istmo region. The El Istmo region is defined by Highway 185D to the west, Highway 190 to the north, and the Oaxaca/Chiapas border to the east and includes the towns of Juchitan de Zaragoza, Salina Cruz, and San Blas.
Puebla state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
There are no travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.
Queretaro state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
There are no travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.
Quintana Roo state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
According to Government of Mexico statistics, the state experienced an increase in homicide rates compared to the same period in 2016. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents injuring or killing bystanders have occurred.
There are no restrictions on U.S. government employees for travel in Quintana Roo state, which includes tourist areas such as: Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the Riviera Maya.
San Luis Potosi state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of San Luis Potosi state.
U.S. government employees may travel outside San Luis Potosi city only during daylight hours on toll roads. U.S. government employees must remain within San Luis Potosi city between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in San Luis Potosi.
Sinaloa state – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Do not travel due to crime. Violent crime is widespread. Criminal organizations are based and operating in Sinaloa state.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel in most areas of the state. In areas where travel is permitted, the following restrictions are in place:
• Mazatlan: U.S. government travel is permitted only in Zona Dorada, the historic town center, and direct routes to and from these locations and the airport or the cruise ship terminal.
• Los Mochis and Port Topolobampo: U.S. government travel is permitted within the city and the port, as well as direct routes to and from these locations and the airport.
Sonora state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Sonora is a key location utilized by the international drug trade and human trafficking networks. However, northern Sonora experiences much lower levels of crime than cities closer to Sinaloa and other parts of Mexico. U.S. government employees visiting Puerto Peñasco must use the Lukeville/Sonoyta crossing, and they are required to travel during daylight hours on main roads.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to:
• The triangular region west of Nogales, east of Sonoyta, and north of Altar.
• The eastern edge of the state of Sonora, which borders the state of Chihuahua (all points along that border east of Federal Highway 17, the road between Moctezuma and Sahuaripa, and state Highway 20 between Sahuaripa and the intersection with Federal Highway 16).
• South of Hermosillo, with the exception of the cities of Alamos, San Carlos, Guaymas, and Empalme.
Tabasco state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
There are no travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.
Tamaulipas state – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Do not travel due to crime. Violent crime, such as murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, extortion, and sexual assault, is common. Gang activity, including gun battles, is widespread. Armed criminal groups target public and private passenger buses traveling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers hostage and demanding ransom payments. Local law enforcement has limited capability to respond to violence in many parts of the state.
U.S. government employees are subject to movement restrictions and a curfew between midnight and 6 a.m.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Tamaulipas.
Tlaxcala state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
There are no travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.
Veracruz state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
U.S. government employees are encouraged to remain in tourist areas and are not permitted to use public transportation. U.S. government employees are permitted to drive during daylight only.
Yucatan state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution. Police presence and emergency response are extremely limited outside of the state capital.
There are no restrictions on U.S. government employees for travel in Yucatan state, which includes tourist areas such as: Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid.
Zacatecas state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Zacatecas state.
U.S. government employees may travel outside Zacatecas city only during daylight hours on toll roads. U.S. government employees must remain within Zacatecas city between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Zacatecas.

Re: 'Do not travel' issued for 5 Mexican states by USA although tourism states exempt

My take after following all of the news in the local paper, is that the townspeople are blaming the leader of the CECOP - the group who has been opposing the La Parota dam project for years. He is now in jail along with his brother.

ACAPULCO, GUERRERO.- This morning, residents of La Concepción carried out cleaning work in the house that the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) installed a few years ago and that the CEOP leader, Marco Antonio Suástegui, used as a base of operations , where all the belongings inside were burned down.

After a meeting with the commissioner of the place Florentino Melchor León and locals at 10:00 in the morning today, they agreed to remove furniture and papers to set fire to the side of the house without reports of wounded people.

Re: 'Do not travel' issued for 5 Mexican states by USA although tourism states exempt

Administrator

I added the state department map. which would be wonderful because it is color coded but the text is in shadow so almost impossible to read. it is a foto. bjut i could not jfind it on the state department website. it is a very difficult site to maneuver.

maybe someone else can locate it. it is supposed to be interactive so it could we great.

BTW the advisory system is a new format.

The way I see it.... the more people that don't like me, the less people I have to please

Re: 'Do not travel' issued for 5 Mexican states by USA although tourism states exempt

A settling of accounts, the investigation into the facts in La Concepción, points Vidulfo
The Prosecutor's Office supports the case under the theory that the 25 detainees were in the events of 3 am, after learning that two community policemen had been killed, and that they were led by Cecop's spokesperson, Marco Antonio Suástegui, indicates the lawyer of Tlachinollan

Jacob Morales Antonio

January 17, 2018

The lawyer of the Center for Human Rights of the Tlachinollan Mountain, Vidulfo Rosales Sierra, revealed that the version of the Attorney General's Office, of the events in La Concepción, is that the two community police officers were first murdered by those who were at the police station and later these last ones shot by another group of community.

In statements by telephone, the lawyer said that the version that the Prosecutor's Office has, by the witnesses who testify, is that one of the deceased murdered the two community policemen and then a group of 30 community policemen regrouped and killed the six men who were at the police station on Sunday, January 7.

While the version given to the reporters by Cecop's spokesperson, Marco Antonio Suástegui Muñoz, is that the community police officers were assaulted and insulted by a young man who urinated in front of the commander's office, for which he was arrested but managed to escape and ran towards a group of people who were armed in the police station, where after the community were shot.

The lawyer explained that "they -in reference to the prosecution- support the case under that theory. We question. They say that the 25 who are detained there were in the events of 3 am, after knowing that the community policemen had been killed, "who were led by spokesman Marco Antonio Suástegui, according to the four witnesses presented Monday in the bonding hearing, which was not pointed out by the first three witnesses presented at the initial hearing.

The lawyer said that among the evidence presented by the prosecution is also the ballistics that applied to all the accused, with the exception of Suástegui Muñoz, who "strangely" all positive "when some did not even carry weapons. They say that there are sufficient indications to link to the process, "and noted that the evidentiary standard required in the new system is lower than the previous one, which was higher.

Vidulfo Rosales said that the majority of the detainees did not participate in the 3:00 am shootings in La Concepción, and that they are from the communities of Rancho Las Marias, Oaxaquillas, Rancho los Ilamos, Aguacaliente, Huamuchitos and a smaller number of La Concepción, which are not police but residents who came to the assembly and others who came to see what happened.

He said that they do not know of the existence of a wounded policeman and that he was present at the events, and whose name in statements to the media, before his arrest, Suástegui did not disclose.
The defender noted that the authorities on the other hand do not investigate the killings of the three community police, "it seems that there is a partial investigation, it seems a settling of accounts", and clarified that he does not know if there is another investigation folder of the disarmament of the Community Police , at which time the state police killed three of them.

The lawyer demanded "justice for the community police -suspended-, if there is responsibility of the state police and other security forces that are investigated, there must be an impartial and responsible intervention, that the two parties are called to a dialogue and a reconciliation.

He added that "peace will not return sending people from one side or another to prison. It will not be resolved like that. "

The lawyer reiterated that there is a "partial intervention that polarizes the area."
He expressed that there is interest in inhibiting human rights organizations to take a look at what happened with the death of three community policemen, with the deployments published in various media outlets.

In this same context, he said that as Tlachinollan respect the position of the community authorities that sign the statement, "but we do believe that many of these expressions are driven by state interests. Of businessmen, of people who could not see realized the economic benefits by the construction of the La Parota dam, like the gravilleros that exploit the Papagayo river ".

Vidulfo Rosales insisted that "we see a socio-political issue due to the imposition of the hydroelectric project," and pointed out that the state government was in favor of gravial entrepreneurs.
He reported that the Cecop spokesman has four previous criminal proceedings and all are in aggravation of Gravillero Humberto Marín, who allegedly attacked him taking his land, which were invalid in the Agrarian Court as property of Marín.

Re: 'Do not travel' issued for 5 Mexican states by USA although tourism states exempt

Meanwhile, in Acapulco, in recent days, (yesterday and Tuesday) 3 people shot at popular restaurants on the Costera (main drag) --- waitress injured, and two men dead. One "they say" was supposedly speaking in English while drinking a beer, passing by?

Re: 'Do not travel' issued for 5 Mexican states by USA although tourism states exempt

A bit off topic as it doesn't relate to Mexico but to travel:Canadian gov said on TV has put out an travel advisory for Jamaica as a huge sudden increase in violence.I'm wondering if it's related to the drug trade.It probably is.

Re: 'Do not travel' issued for 5 Mexican states by USA although tourism states exempt

Administrator

This post was updated on .

I just checked it out.People are told to stay in the resorts if already there and not wander out and do not go to Montego Bay as Jamaica has declared a state of emergency and military is moving in due to increased gun gang violence and rampant thefts.